How to treat chickens for aphids and ticks? - briefly
Treat the flock with a permethrin‑based spray approved for poultry to eliminate ticks on the birds and in the coop. Apply a diluted horticultural oil or neem preparation to the chickens to control aphids, and maintain clean bedding to prevent re‑infestation.
How to treat chickens for aphids and ticks? - in detail
Aphids and ticks can cause anemia, skin irritation, and transmit diseases in poultry. Early detection relies on observing feather loss, scaly patches, reduced appetite, or visible insects on the bird’s vent and legs.
For immediate control, apply one or more of the following agents:
- Diatomaceous earth (food‑grade): sprinkle 1‑2 tbsp per bird in the coop and dust‑bath area; reapply after rain or cleaning. The abrasive particles damage the exoskeleton of both pests.
- Pyrethrin‑based spray: dilute according to label (typically 0.5 ml per litre of water) and mist the bird’s vent, legs, and under‑wing area. Avoid contact with eyes; repeat every 5–7 days until insects disappear.
- Ivermectin (oral paste or injectable): dose 0.2 mg/kg body weight; administer as a single treatment, then re‑treat after 14 days to cover the life cycle of ticks. Observe withdrawal periods for meat and eggs.
- Neem oil (cold‑pressed, 100 %): mix 1 ml per litre of water, apply with a spray bottle to the same regions as pyrethrin. Provides repellent effect for up to two weeks.
Safety measures include wearing gloves, limiting exposure to the birds for 30 minutes after application, and ensuring ventilation to prevent respiratory irritation.
Preventive actions reduce the need for repeated chemical interventions:
- Keep coop bedding dry, replace straw or wood shavings weekly, and clean droppings daily.
- Provide a sand or grit dust‑bath area at least 30 cm deep; chickens will self‑groom, removing parasites mechanically.
- Rotate pasture sections every 3–4 weeks; allow grass to rest for a minimum of 30 days before re‑grazing to break the tick life cycle.
- Trim overgrown vegetation around the coop, eliminate tall grass and leaf litter where ticks hide.
- Inspect birds weekly; remove any visible insects with tweezers and treat the spot with a concentrated spray.
After treatment, monitor the flock for at least three weeks. Record the number of visible pests each day; a consistent decline to zero confirms successful eradication. If re‑infestation occurs, repeat the chosen control method and reassess environmental management practices.